Budget 2016 and the Senior Citizens in dire straits

Today we, the Senior Citizens are in a state of trepidation – A feeling of alarm and dread as to what the future holds for us Senior Citizens.

by Nelum Vithanage

( November 24, 2015, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The Government is happy about the budget and Ravi Karunanayake is promulgating in every appearance as to what a wonderful budget it is. The Business communities are praising the budget – but what the budget has done to Senior Citizens of this country is to destroy, ruin and make a mess of their lives.

All appeals to the Finance Minister and the President regarding granting of relief and assuage the suffering of the Senior Citizens have turned into profoundly deaf ears. Ironically, not a single Member of the Parliament – majority of them are Senior Citizens – had even voiced the excruciating pains by the suffering Senior Citizens, after all they are getting more than their fair-share and they can live luxuriously. But alas! The senior citizens are left to suffer in agony and anguish.

So all those requests by the Ministry of Finance to submit recommendations and suggestions from the people, is nothing but a great pretense, with intent to deceive,

We were receiving a reasonable monthly income for our fixed deposits at the banks including the Central Banks Treasury Bills and Repo Rates were helping us greatly till 2007. Then comes the Rajapaksa Government and Nivard Cabral who reduced the income to one-third, while the cost of living shot up Three Times. To this day, especially, the Senior Citizens have been subject to untold sufferings.

When the new presidency and the new government was in the process of formation, we expected that there would be relief for, at least the Senior Citizens – But all expectations and anticipations were shattered to smithereens.

Today we, the Senior Citizens are in a state of trepidation – A feeling of alarm and dread as to what the future holds for us Senior Citizens.

The Finance Minister, shamelessly proclaims in his Budget 2016 that they have increased the Senior Citizens Fixed Deposit eligibility from One million to One-and-a-half Million with a return of 15% per Annum and reduced the age from 60 to 55 years. This rate allows the banks to pay 14.06% on a monthly basis – which amounts to Rs.17,575.00 per Month.

We wonder whether that would even cover the cost of the Medicines of a couple in their old age. What about the payment of rent, cost of food and other utilities like electricity, telephone and water?

Who will pay for them with the paltry amount they would receive in excess of the 1.5Mn?

What about their travelling – which includes their day to day living and visit to the doctors! – surely you do not expect mentally and physically infirm old and doddering people to walk while you move about in luxury!. Do you?

This reminds us of the vehicle emission testing charges of Rs.5,000/- flat for every vehicle. There are some Senior Citizens who maintain their old vehicles in good running condition and now they have to pay 400% (Four Hundred Percent) more from what they were paying the previous years. Does the government think that this is going to help the older generation?

You are accusing the previous administration of the Central Bank, while you are ardently following in their foot-steps. Adopting everything and complying with every move to the detriment of the citizens of this country. You have not made anything to amend or rectify the disastrous decisions taken in 2007 against the Senior Citizens by the Central Bank.

Please rectify this anomaly immediately, by providing The Senior Citizens with at least, 1% Per Month (One Percent per Month) on their fixed deposits with the banks and also allow the Treasury Bills and Repo Rates to provide the same returns if you have any feelings for the Senior Citizens of this country.

We are asking you nothing except for us to live peacefully, whatever the portion of our lives, that is remaining. Please remember that during the tenure of their services, the Senior Citizens have contributed immensely to the development, progress and welfare of this country.

We sincerely hope that this article will be tabled in parliament for debate.